Modern Mining June 2015

PRODUCT News

Barloworld Power to assemble Cat generators locally

and assembled locally from scratch, contributing to the drive for localisa- tion and enabling the transfer of new and valuable skills to South African employees. This also enables the Cat units to compete on a more even footing with locally manufactured equivalents. “The assembly facility is a major step forward in Barloworld Power and Caterpillar’s growth aspirations across Southern Africa,” says Mark Mencel, Executive Director of Barloworld Power Southern Africa. “We are now assembling Cat branded generators at our Boksburg, Gauteng, premises that have the same highest quality standards for which Caterpillar is renowned worldwide. Barloworld Power can now offer truly competitive Cat products while aligning with govern- ment objectives in local employment and development.” “This initiative between Barloworld and Caterpillar promotes localisation and lever- ment. Strata Safety designed a completely powerless walk-in chamber. This unit is standalone with air and other supplies to last up to 96 hours. The chamber is equipped with compressed air cylinders, oxygen cylinders and an air-powered CO 2 scrubber. Lighting is provided by approved flashlights and cooling as needed. All chambers include an airlock com- partment and optional purge air, padded seating, storage, food, water, a gas monitor, first aid and a toilet. All are manufactured with a skid base, fork-lift guides and lift- ing facilities. Wheel and hitch packages are optional. The Strata Safe Room (SSR) is a pre-con- structed refuge room, designed to provide protection and breathable air to miners trapped underground in emergency situ-

ages our excellent capabilities to provide a local solution for South Africa,” adds Chris Monge, Caterpillar Area Manager. “This represents a significant investment in the local economy to support our growth strat- egy in the power business.” The assembly unit was set up with the assistance of experts from Caterpillar’s power systems assembly factory in India and is being managed and staffed by Barloworld Power. Initially the facility will assemble the Cat i6 and 400 series genera- tor sets, ranging from 400 kVA to 1 000 kVA and suited to the provision of standby power for medium to large industries. Barloworld plans to produce about 500 units a year, expanding according to mar- ket demand. The first two pilot 550 kVA genera- tor kits, supplied by Caterpillar in China, were sold before they arrived in South Africa. They were assembled and delivered by Barloworld Power in the last week in February 2015. Barloworld Power, tel (+27 11) 898-0000 ations. SSRs come equipped with modular kits, including air conditioning, breathable air, storage, and other essential supplies. The Strata Safety Fresh Air Bay (FAB) is a portable powerless inflatable ref- uge chamber constructed from durable, flame-retardant material. It is stored in an explosion-resistant steel skid until deploy- ment. In an emergency, the bay is inflated directly from the skid using compressed air cylinders and is filled with breathable air as it inflates. Oxygen cylinders and an air pow- ered, active CO 2 scrubbing systemmaintain breathable air. The Strata AIRDOC® is a change-over station designed specifically to provide a clean, well-lit environment in which to exchange self-contained self-rescue (SCSR) units and communicate during self-escape. Strata SP Mine Safety, tel (+27 12) 450-0960, e-mail: info@strata-safety.co.za

Caterpillar and Barloworld Power have launched a combined initiative to assem- ble Cat electric power generators in South Africa to meet rising demand, reduce unit cost and promote localisation. As the first Cat equipment assembly unit to be established in South Africa, the new facility marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Caterpillar and Barloworld Power, its Southern African dealer for Energy and Transportation. The generators are supplied in kit form A 550 kVA Cat C15 diesel generator set is assembled at Barloworld Power’s Boksburg facility.

Range of safety chambers from Strata Safety Strata Safety refuge chambers are complete safety systems designed to provide imme- diate refuge and breathable air in the event that air quality in the working environment becomes compromised. They are intended to be an alternative option when escape is not possible.

The Emergency Refuge Chamber (ERC) is a steel walk-in chamber that connects to the main power and air sources of the mine. If mains power is lost, the system switches to a battery back-up. If mains air is lost, chambers are equipped with oxygen cylin- ders and an active carbon dioxide scrubber. The ERC has 24 V lighting and can be fitted with an optional air-conditioning unit. The Strata Safety Chamber (SSC) is a walk-in chamber designed for the unique requirements of the coal mining environ-

60  MODERN MINING  June 2015